Amanda Winchell

Assistant Program Manager

Spero Family Services

Amanda Winchell is a dedicated mental health therapist with 18 years of experience in the social work field, including 11 years specializing in community mental health. A lifelong advocate for young people, Amanda works exclusively with children and adolescents because she believes every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

Play therapy is at the heart of Amanda’s practice. As a member of the Association for Play Therapy, she is deeply committed to meeting children where they are, using the language of play to help young clients process, heal, and grow. She is trained in a range of evidence-based and integrative modalities, including Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Brainspotting, Brainspotting for Kids, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Amanda thoughtfully weaves these approaches together to create a healing experience tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Amanda holds a Master’s in Human Services from the University of Illinois at Springfield and is currently pursuing her professional licensure and a second Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association.

Amanda is continuously inspired by the resilience of the children and families she works with. She has spent the majority of her career advocating for young people, and that commitment remains at the core of everything she does.